Mini-outreach and such

      The past couple of weeks have been so good!  It has been a whirlwind, but God is doing great things both in our students lives, and ours.  Mini-outreach in Spokane was both tiring and refreshing.  The topic for the week was "Team Dynamics and Personal Design," which was great preparation for their 2-month outreach.  There was a lot of healing in many lives as we discovered more about how God made us, as far as personality, communication styles, and similar stuff.  God never fails to amaze me, as even topics that seem lighter can bring up things that we need to deal with.  He is so faithful to speak worth and value into us, and to remind his kids that he is proud of us and that we were made a certain way for a specific purpose.  This was HUGE in the lives of quite of few of us that week.

     The ministries we worked with were pretty sweet, as well.  The main places we went minister to homeless people and youth who live on the streets.  We got to do some basic service projects, as well as leading worship and sharing testimonies at a couple of services.  I was really proud of the way the students just went for it with boldness.  Though they hadn't really shared very personal stories with a group before, they were open about their lives, which touched a lot of hearts at the homeless ministry.  Afterwards, we all went out and listened to stories and prayed with people who were having a hard time.  It was empowering for the students to realize how much they have to offer, even to those with whom they have very little in common.  Some of our other ministry times were just going to a large riverside park and asking God who we should talk to and pray for.  They had so many great stories of "divine appointments" with people who desperately needed to know that God still sees them, loves them, and cares for them.

      One cool story from my time there was talking with a guy named Jesse.  His parents were Christians, and he had grown up in church, but he was running.  As I spoke with him, he was a little high, but we had a great conversation about how God hasn't given up on him, and just the truth of who God made him to be and that he is never too far gone to receive God's grace.  I got to pray for him too, and I could see that he connected with a lot of what was being said.  Sadly, he didn't choose to come back to God that day, but I believe Jesus will keep sending people his way to remind him that he loves him.

      I think one of the most exciting things about doing stuff like this is that it reminds me that no matter where we are and what we are doing, God wants to use us!  We don't have to be doing "ministry time."  We can ask him for people to pray for as we go about our day and our normal life.  All it takes is for us to be willing to be a little bold, and to be available.  I was challenged by this again, and the students were so encouraged to see that this isn't so hard, after all.  Sharing God's love doesn't just happen during a set aside time like DTS, but it is a way of life.  So, ask God today to show you someone that needs encouragement.  I think he will surprise you, and that you will also be encouraged as you bless others.

A pretty cool story....

So, I am going to try to catch up little by little on the last few weeks....I don't want anyone to fall asleep reading 18 paragraphs.  :)  So, that story I said I would share about our community outreach...here it is!  We gathered all the people here on our YWAM base and dispersed around the Flathead Valley (a few towns around where we live.)  Between all our staff and students, we had over 200 people go out to pray and share our faith with people on the National Day of Prayer!  There were a lot of great stories about "divine appointments" and things God did that day, but here is a personal one.

Jason and I were in a small group of five.  We drove into Kalispell, not really knowing where we should go.  One guy got a picture of an elevator, and felt we needed to go somewhere that had one.  As Kalispell is a very small town, we couldn't even think of a building big enough to have an elevator!  We drove by the county courthouse, and Jason thought we should stop and pray for the government in a few city buildings.  As we wandered around, we found a courthouse building with an elevator, so of course we went up!  On the top floor, we spent some time praying for a list of people who were about to be sentenced.  Then, as we were about to leave, Ben, a student in our group, felt like he was supposed to stand up and ask if anyone in the room wanted prayer.  However, this was a large, open room with 40+ people, full of lawyers, judges, and people waiting for their court hearings.  Ben felt intimidated, but went for it anyway as a few people were cursing at us under their breath.  Only one woman was brave enough to raise her hand, but it turned out to be such an awesome opportunity from God!  She took us around the corner to her weeping daughter, whom we assumed was waiting to be sentenced.  We got to pray for her, bless her, and share God's love and truth with "Mandy."  God's peace really came on the whole group, and Mandy seemed comforted.  We left amazed at the way God directed us to pray for her, and thankful that we hadn't been too scared or embarrassed- we would have missed a great opportunity if we had!  This was one of many stories that stirred our faith, and we realized that sharing God's love is not a difficult as we make it out to be.  Really, we all just need to make ourselves available, and God will direct us.  There are hurting people everywhere who need encouragement, and all of us have opportunities each day to bless them with God's love.  

For those of you who follow our blog, you may have noticed that the format has changed a little bit.  The new background was chosen to convey the season in which we are working right now.  Before, there were books....because we studied all the time!  And now, we are actively spending each day building people up, and helping them to grow in their identity in Christ.  Hence, the ladder and "construction" look!  We also feel that we are personally in a new season of God building us up as leaders.  We will be leading the Winter 2013 DTS, which is both exciting and scary for us!  We are already beginning to plan for the school, and to select and invite guest speakers for it.  Sometimes, we feel too young to do something like this, but then, as we reflect on all God has taught us and poured into us, we know that he has given us what we need for that to which he has called us.  We are also really thankful to have such wise and seasoned leaders here to give us advice and mentorship.

If you haven't ever explored our blog, please do!  The tabs at the top have more info about YWAM, as well as our needs, and even a little about who we are.

More stories will follow.......

So.....this weekend was too short, and I did not finish the longer update I was working on.  But, I wanted to quickly let you all know that we will be in Spokane this week with the DTS, doing a mini-outreach.  Most of what we will be doing is homeless ministry, and leading worship and sharing testimonies with people off the streets.  Please be praying for us as we reach out this week!  Pray for lives to be changed by God's spirit as we share his love with people we don't know.  Also, please pray that this time will really excite the students and empower them to share the gospel.  We had a small taste of that last week as we went out into the community around us, and it reminded us all that it isn't so difficult - we just need to be available to God, and he will show us how to love and encourage the people that we meet.

We love you all....thanks for standing with us in prayer and support!